The Life and Times of the Sicilian Robin Hood

The Truth Behind the Massacre

But the mysteries surrounding the massacre at Portella della Ginestra remain.  Who sent the letter to Giuliano?  What were its contents?  Further, what was the role of the mafia in this unfortunate episode?  Was Giuliano set up by either the federal government, or by the mafia, so that once and for all the King of the Mountain, the Sicilian Robin Hood, could be discredited?  The testimony of some of those who were involved — particularly Gaspare Pisciotta — after Giuliano's death, suggested that somehow the entire affair was not the work of the bandit gang, but of darker political forces.

The results were mixed.  In the eyes of some, Giuliano was discredited, but others were convinced that the usually astute Giuliano had been deceived by some combination of mafia influences and federal government treachery.

Whatever the explanation, from this point forward, Giuliano had become a subject of controversy.

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1. Bandit and Murderer, or Hero and Patriot?
2. The Two Robin Hoods
3. The Making of
   the Legend
4. The Legend Grows
5. The King of the Mountain
6. From Bandit to Politician
7. Giuliano Expands His Criminal Enterprise
8. Please,
   President
   Truman
9. A Second Letter to President Truman
10. The Mystery of the Massacre at Portella della Ginestra
11. The Truth Behind the Massacre
12. Betrayal
13. The Killing of Giuliano
14. The End of Giuliano
15. Cover-up
16. Giuliano, the Media Star
17. Hero or Villain?
18. The Literature
19. Bibliography